Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to tick awareness and prevention among users of urban green spaces: insights from stakeholder focus groups

Stakeholders in UK urban green-space tick fieldwork report substantial variation in public tick awareness, shaped by rural exposure and local knowledge, with misinformation about tick removal being common.

• Why it matters: As tick populations expand and more people use urban green spaces, gaps in understanding and uptake of public health guidance may leave exposure risk insufficiently managed.
• What they did: Four stakeholder focus groups with professionals involved in urban tick fieldwork explored public interactions, awareness, behaviours, and communication views; transcripts were thematically analysed using a Framework Method approach.
• The result: Findings suggest targeted, context-specific messaging is needed, prioritizing identification of lower-awareness groups, correcting removal misinformation, designing balanced materials, evaluating signage, and delivering age-appropriate education for children and families.

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